Tent campsites near Burlingame, California require careful planning due to limited facilities and coastal conditions. The immediate region spans from sea level to over 2,000 feet at Mount Tamalpais, creating microclimates where evening temperatures regularly drop 20-30 degrees from daytime highs. Consistent marine influence means fog can roll in quickly even during summer months, requiring campers to pack layers regardless of season.
What to do
Explore redwood groves: At Ben Ries Campground in Butano State Park, campers can hike through dense redwood forests. "This is a hidden gem. A little bowl full of redwoods, a creek and great hiking," notes one visitor. The campground features nature trails alongside a creek with minimal elevation gain for casual explorers.
View night skies: Without city light pollution, many campsites offer exceptional stargazing. "Hard to find stars as you are canopied in trees but if you walk a little out, the night sky is dark and stars a plenty," reports a camper who stayed at Butano State Park during early August.
Beach access hikes: From Haypress Campground, take the Tennessee Valley trail to the beach. "The walk to Tennessee Beach is very flat and level and doable for kids," notes a reviewer. This trail runs approximately 1.7 miles one way on relatively gentle terrain suitable for most fitness levels.
What campers like
Unique cabin options: Steep Ravine Campground offers rustic cabins above the Pacific Ocean. "These cabins are well worth the cost. There is a separate bedroom, you could sleep 2 couples on beds easily with extra floor space and a small individual bunk for larger families," explains one reviewer who appreciates the sleeping arrangements.
Urban escape proximity: Rob Hill Campground claims to be the only overnight campsite within San Francisco city limits. "The campsite's main distinction is the site for the Camping at the Presidio program, which provides youth with meaningful outdoor experiences," explains a visitor who discovered this location while hiking through the Presidio.
Site spacing: Butano State Park receives praise for campsite layout. "Overall, the sites are spaced apart nicely," mentions one camper who stayed at sites 5 and 6. Sites with more privacy include numbers 3 and 14, with enough distance between them to reduce noise from neighboring campers.
What you should know
First-come challenges: For some locations like Pantoll Campground, no advance reservations are possible. "This is the only first come first campground around as far as I know," explains one camper. During peak seasons (May-September), sites may fill by mid-morning on Fridays.
Wildlife considerations: Multiple campgrounds report active wildlife interactions. One Butano camper warns about "aggressive squirrels," while another visitor to Haypress notes, "There are owls perched in eucalyptus trees next to the campsite, and coyotes. Came across one on the way back from a sunset hike to the beach."
Limited water access: Water availability varies significantly between locations. At Bicentennial Campground, there are no drinking water facilities on site. One visitor to Sunrise Campground on Angel Island reported: "We were surprised to find that the water spigot at Sunrise was not working when we arrived, and this was not mentioned anywhere during the reservation process."
Tips for camping with families
Gradual introduction sites: For families new to camping, consider short hike-in options. "Haypress Campground is about a 0.75 mile hike from the Tennessee Valley trail head," reports one camper. This distance is manageable for young children carrying small packs while adults handle heavier gear.
Food storage solutions: Most sites require careful food management. A Butano camper notes the campground provides "bear lockers and firepits at each site" and is "a crumb free park and they take it very seriously." These lockers prevent wildlife encounters and simplify campsite management with children.
Accessible beach options: Families should consider coastal proximity. A camper at Half Moon Bay RV Park explained that "from the park you can head about a quarter of a mile and walk or ride the coastal path all the way to the marina or south to the Ritz Carlton. Great ocean views." This provides easy recreation options without needing to drive.
Tips from RVers
Long-term stay options: Half Moon Bay RV Park accommodates extended visits. "We enjoyed our 4 week stay. We stayed thru the month of Nov 2021," shares one RVer. The park offers monthly rates that can be more economical for longer visits, with discounts of approximately 40% compared to daily rates.
Site selection considerations: RV sites vary significantly in layout and utility placement. "Our site was a pull through as well as our friends who were able to face the opposite way to have a common camp side with us. Of course the utility sides were in great position for that," explains one RVer, highlighting the importance of requesting specific site configurations when making reservations.
Community atmosphere: Unlike more transient campgrounds, some RV parks have established resident communities. "The RV part is comprised of 80% permanent residents. All rigs look to be maintained and sites without clutter. I was impressed really," notes a visitor who compared this favorably to other locations with permanent residents.
